Caliber 96.01 - No Plans for Free Sprung Balance?

Apr 23, 2016,05:32 AM
 

From what I've witnessed, most manufactures that employ breguet overcoil pairs it with a free sprung balance (Eg. Rolex, IWC, ALS (eg. Richard Lange)) for the sake of chronometry. Is there any particular reason(s) why Chopard isn't moving in that direction? Considering their philosophy of valuing traditional watchmaking and chronometry. Perhaps Melvyn knows the answer?








More posts: Richard Lange

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

Variner

 
 By: p.boxster : April 23rd, 2016-08:42
The "Variner" balance is a free sprung balance. It\'s used in the Chronos and the Tourbillons (in Tourbillons with Breguet Overcoil). The caliber 96 still has the classic balance. Perhaps some time it will get the Variner too...

It's pretty much a general consensus that free-sprung is a more stable regulating method..

 
 By: Dufourism : November 26th, 2016-00:59
So I really hope that the Variner balance would eventually trickle down to all the L.U.C movements. ...  

Chopard Function and Form

 
 By: MTF : April 23rd, 2016-09:18
I am not a watchmaker but as an enthusiast, I only care about performance that is "as good as it gets" for the local circumstances. I already have my GPS and Internet connected "smart" phone to tell me the EXACT time. My Seiko Astron watch even adjusts th...  

Back in 2003, there were already rumours saying that Chopard would be using Variner in ALL LUCs

 
 By: Dufourism : April 23rd, 2016-18:07
But it seems like either proliferation has been slow, or it's not going to happen at all.. www.watchprosite.com

Then again, I've read that it's more difficult to make an overcoil work with a regulator..

 
 By: Dufourism : April 23rd, 2016-18:32
Perhaps Chopard wanted to showcase their watchmaking prowess by doing that? I don't know..

I'm not a technincal nerd, and might got this wrong.

 
 By: Luis6 : April 23rd, 2016-16:48
But to my understanding, free-sprung balance is not necessarily better. It's just a different way of regulating. I am happy to accept anything as long as it works to its intended purpose.

PuristS once interviewed Philippe Dufour and his views on free sprung balance was this...

 
 By: Dufourism : April 23rd, 2016-18:12
"I use a freesprung balance. It's not just for funÍž it's because I think it's much better in the long term. Because the regulator pins, everybody knows it gives you problems. You make a nice adjustment today, between the flat and the vertical is nice, fif... 

You r welcome! :) [nt]

 
 By: Dufourism : April 24th, 2016-02:18

One observation from a watchmaker

 
 By: MTF : April 24th, 2016-02:42
Thanks for the added observation from a well known watchmaker. We have unpublished macro images and technical reports of in-depth "tear downs" on multiple samples of Ph. Dufour watches so we know the limits and boundaries of his work. As we gathered, both...